Feel your eyes getting misty just thinking about something really sad or even happy? You might just be a bona fide crier. While crying is a natural form of self-expression, it definitely still receives stigma for making people appear weak or soft. As someone who sheds tears on a semi-regular basis in reality and while watching Grey's Anatomy [1] (even the not-so-sad seasons [2]), I can confidently say that the crying life is not an easy one. But a healthy weeping session can also be a valid form of self-care [3] and help you share your feelings to those around you — even if it means wearing your heart on your sleeve [4]. If you're no stranger to waterworks, here are things that you might know by heart, both good and bad.
You Cry at All Major Events
Major life milestones and heartfelt speeches will really gut you emotionally, no matter how well you know the person. Weddings, graduations, and funerals always mean you need to stock up on waterproof makeup [6] and Kleenex.
Even Cute Things Make You Cry
Remember when Kristen Bell cried over that baby sloth [7] on Ellen? You felt that. The fact that cute things can exist in this cruel world might be too much for you to handle sometimes.
You Sometimes Cry at the Wrong Time and Place
Bad days might translate into crying at work [8] or in front of strangers, which can be deeply embarrassing. Still, you know that it'll happen, so you've figured out ways to manage, like holing up in the bathroom or taking a walk.
You Love Watching Emotional TV Shows and Movies
Sometimes when you're in the mood for a good cry, you seek out the more emotional TV shows and movies to get you going. It's a form of therapy!
You Could Probably Cry From a Sad or Happy Memory Alone
Thinking about a sad or happy memory or moment can cause tears to form behind your eyes. It really doesn't take much to make get you going.
You've Probably Pretended to Be Sick or Have Allergies
There's a bunch of illnesses that make tears drip down your face and your nose runny, right? Well, depending on who you're talking to, this excuse might be hit-or-miss.
You've Been Told That You Can Be "Too Emotional"
You're very glad that Carly Rae Jepsen penned "Too Much" [9] about being this kind of person. It's OK to feel what you feel, so you don't buy it when someone tells you that you're being too sensitive [10].
When Someone Tells You to Calm Down, You'll Probably Cry Even More
If some kind soul tries to console you back into sanity, it'll probably have the opposite effect. You'll need to be excused for somewhere between five minutes to an hour to properly finish your weeping session.
You Know That Crying Is Good For Relieving Stress
In fact, a study from the St. Paul-Ramsey Medical Centre in Minnesota found that tears contain stress hormones, which can make you feel anxious and panicked [11]. It's good to just let out your intense emotions instead of keeping them all locked up inside.
You're Way Too Familiar With the Puffy Eyes or Headaches That Follow a Good Cry
The physical symptoms of a huge cry are no joke. Here are some pro tips [12]: popping cucumber slices on your eyes helps them de-puff, and drinking water can ease your headache.
You Care What Other People Think
Worrying about how you come off isn't narcissistic or overly sensitive; it's just considerate. You're a squishy Care Bear at heart who wants to make everyone feel comfortable.
But You're Not Afraid of Being Vulnerable in Front of Others
It's a great moment to be vulnerable now that Brené Brown, The University of Houston research professor and renowned social scientist, is giving inspiring talks about the power of vulnerability [13]. Letting others know how you feel can help you connect with them more, and crying is a fairly external means of self-expression.
You Lose It Whenever Someone Does Something Nice For You
Whether it's buying you a sweet gift or just calling to say hi, knowing that somebody was thinking of you and wanted to do something nice just sends you over the edge sometimes.
Joking Around Can Quickly Lead to Tears
If you and your friends are poking fun at each other, you'll probably either cry from laughing so hard or shed a few sensitive tears. But it's no biggie — they get you.
You're Fully Aware of Your Feelings
You'd rather let the bad feelings out than bottle them up. This requires a little bit of self-awareness! You're always in touch with how you feel, and yes, that means crying a lot more than others because things affect you.